Keith Urban's favorite guitar The Guitar Before Telecaster Fred Stuart Dimond Back Snake Head Guitar

Keith Urban showcased his "snake head" late '40s prototype replica in one of his interviews with Fender.

Fred Stuart Wild West 20th Anniversary Diamond Back Snake Head Guitar

In 1995 I was a senior master builder in the Custom Shop at Fender, and I was assigned the project of recreating the 1946 prototype of what would evolve into the Telecaster.

I was fortunate enough to have access to a very comprehensive set of photos of the original, and also had access to the original guitar itself, and was able to make a set of tools and templates.
We made two examples, which we showed at the 1996 NAMM show.

As a result of this project, I had the great fortune of meeting and becoming friends with George Fullerton, who was heavily involved in the building of the original.

I was very excited about doing this project for Wild West, because it afforded me the opportunity to mix an old design with some newer, traditional designs, and throw in a couple of my own ideas. This along with suggestions, and assistance of Ian at Wild West, produced what I think is a great sounding, and playing guitar.

They were built with the traditional classic materials, the way they did it in the 40s and 50s.
The “Snake Head” headstock is derived from the Fender steel guitar, which is where Fender got its start.

These guitars are unique and highly collectible.

Features:Thin Nitro Cellulose Lacquer Finish
Ash and Alder Bodies.
Quartersawn Maple Neck
They are fitted with my Hand Wound Pickups.
Fred Stuart

📸  / asaphkim  

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://wildwestguitars.us8.list-mana...

Email: info@wildwestguitars.com

Phone: 1-626-507-5575

Wild West Guitar's Website: http://wildwestguitars.com

Instagram:   / wild_west_guitars  

Facebook:   / wildwestguitars1  

Twitter:   / wildwestguitars  

Hours:

Mon-Sat
10:00am-7:00pm

Location:

2840 East Foothill Blvd, Pasadena CA 91107